Display-ready case

ABSTRACT

A shipping and storage container is provided that is readily converted to a display case. The container includes a first tear seam along a lower portion of the front panel, which extends upward at an angle across side flaps attached to the front panel. A cut-out handle is formed in the front panel along the first tear seam. The tear seam respectively terminates at opposite ends along the side flaps with a relief cut. A second tear seam is formed at a fold line between the top panel and back panel, which permits the top panel, a portion of the front panel, and portions of front side flaps to be removed for forming a display case. The display case provides lateral support to the full container height along the back panel and the rear side flaps.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to a display-ready case. More particularly, the invention relates to a shipping and storage container that is readily converted to a display case for displaying contents stored therein.

BACKGROUND

Retail products, such as food and department store items, are commonly shipped and stored in cardboard containers and the like. These items are typically unloaded from their shipping and storage containers and placed on display shelves to be sold. It is time-consuming and expensive in terms of labor to remove the individual products for display, which ultimately adds to their cost. Often, the products are placed on a decorative display that advertises the specific products or enhances their sales appeal. These displays also add cost to the products. Containers have been proposed to address these shortcomings.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,167,324 to Miller discloses a rectangular shipping carton and display unit for tubes. The shipping carton includes a tear strip along a mid-portion of the front and side walls, and a score along a mid-portion of the back wall. When the tear strip is removed, the score is readily broken and the top portion is removed to display tubes contained within the carton. Although directed to a display for tubes, the Miller carton nonetheless fails to provide support along the sides and back that extends the full height of the carton to support stacked items.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,385,228 issued to Vidoni et al. discloses a convertible container for shipping and displaying a product. The container includes a weakened seam, which permits a portion to be removed for defining an aperture. A separate dispensing tray is combined with the carton through the aperture to form a display carton. The requirement of a separate dispensing tray for the Vidoni display carton adds cost and complexity to the display unit.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,918,801 issued to Milio and 5,881,884 issued to Podosek disclose rectangular shipping and display cartons. These cartons include lines of weakness along either the front face or the front and sides of the carton, which permit removal of a portion of the carton to display carton contents. Front viewing of the carton contents, however, is partially obscured by lateral container portions that remain along the front display face of these cartons.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0150747 to Maus discloses a rectangular shipping and display carton having two tear strips. The first tear strip extends along a lower portion of the front face and through opposite side flaps attached to the front face. The second tear strip is disposed along the juncture between the top panel and the back. After the tear strips are torn, portions of the front side flaps and the front, as well as the top panel, are removed to form the display carton. The front portion of the display carton, however, is higher than the side portions, which obscures a significant portion of the front display area. Accordingly, a need exists for an improved display-ready case and blank for forming the same.

SUMMARY

In order to overcome the above-described deficiencies and other shortcomings that will become apparent when reading this specification, aspects of the present invention provide a shipping and storage container that is readily converted to a display case. The container includes a first tear seam along a lower portion of the front panel, which extends upward at an angle across side flaps attached to the front panel. A cut-out handle is formed in the front panel along the first tear seam. The tear seam respectively terminates at opposite ends along the side flaps with a pair of relief cuts. A second tear seam is formed at a fold line between the top panel and back panel, which permits the top panel, a portion of the front panel, and portions of front side flaps to be removed for forming the display case. The display case provides lateral support to the full container height along the back panel and the rear side flaps. Lateral support is provided along forward side portions that are less than the full container height. In addition, lateral support is provided along the front that is less than the forward side portions.

Aspects of the invention provide a display carton having a sloping stadium-effect. Other aspects provide a display carton having product-specific advertising printed thereon. Other features and advantages of various aspects of the invention will become apparent with reference to the following detailed description and figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in detail in the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the following figures wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display-ready case according to an embodiment of the invention shown in a shipping and storage configuration;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the display-ready case of FIG. 1 shown in an opened side-loading configuration;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the display-ready case of FIG. 1 shown in an opened top-loading configuration;

FIG. 4 shows perspective views of the display-ready case of FIG. 1 as it is converted from a shipping and storage container to a display case according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a display-ready case formed from the display-ready case of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the invention shown with sample products, identified in phantom, stored therein;

FIG. 6 is a carton blank for the display-ready case of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The various aspects of the invention may be embodied in various forms. The following description shows by way of illustration various embodiments in which aspects of the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Referring now to FIGS. 1-6, a display-ready case 10 is shown according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 1, case 10 is a generally rectangular carton having a top panel 12, a front panel 14, a bottom panel 16, a right side 20 and a left side 22. Right and left sides 20 and 22 respectively include upper minor flaps 24 and 26, lower minor flaps 28 and 30, rear side flaps 32 and 34, and front side flaps 36 and 38. A tear seam 40 extends across a lower portion of front panel 14 and across front side flaps 36 and 38.

Tear seam 40 extends generally horizontally across a lower portion of front panel 14 and continues across front side flaps 36 and 38. Tear seam 40 preferably angles upward toward top panel 12 as it extends across side flaps 36 and 38 from front panel 14 rearward. As shown in FIG. 1, tear seam 40 is preferably disposed lower than the top edge 50 of lower minor flaps 28 and 30, which, as discussed later along with FIG. 5, provides a large product viewing area in the display case configuration, as well as a stadium-view effect for the display case.

As also shown in FIG. 1, a relief cut 42 is formed in each of side panels 36 and 38 to which tear seam 40 terminates on opposite ends. Relief cuts 42 are formed from generally u-shaped notches in the rear edges of front side panels 36 and 38, which are preferably angled downward toward front panel 14. The angle of relief cuts 42 generally matches the angle of tear seam 40 along the respective front side panel 36, 38. Tear seam 40 provides a quick and easy mechanism for a user to separate upper portions of front panel 14 and front side panels 36 and 38 from lower portions of the same along pre-defined lines. Relief cuts 42 permit tear seam 40 to cleanly terminate at its ends and prevents the carton from tearing outside of tear seam 40 at its ends. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, a second tear seam 48 extends along the fold line between top panel 12 and rear panel 18 to permit removal of the top section to form the display case shown in FIG. 5.

A cut-out handle 44 is formed in front panel 14 along a mid-portion of tear seam 40. A cut line 46 preferably surrounds cut-out handle 44 to completely remove carton material within the cut line. A portion of carton material, however, may optionally remain to permit carton material within handle 44 to be folded from front panel 14. Completely removing carton material from within cut line 46 is preferred to make it quicker and easier for a user to grasp handle 44.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, case 10 may side-loaded or top-loaded. This provides flexibility to load products in an orientation suited for their display when carton 10 is converted to a display case. As shown in FIG. 2, items for storage and display may be placed in case 10 through right side 20 with flaps 24, 28, 32 and 36 in an open position. In a similar manner, carton 10 may be loaded from left side 22 as desired. As shown in FIG. 3, case 10 may be top-loaded through right side 20 by orienting the carton to place left side 22 downward. The carton is closed by folding minor flaps 24 and 28 inward, and then folding upper and lower side flaps 32 and 36 inward over minor flaps 24 and 28. Adhesive 52 is preferably applied to the lower portion of rear side panel 32, an upper portion of front side panel 36 and a lower portion of front side panel 36 below tear seam 40. Adhesive 52 permits front and rear side panels 36 and 32 to adhere to minor flaps 24 and 28 in a closed configuration. However, adhesive 52 is not placed between rear side flap 32 and upper minor flap 24, nor is it applied between front side flap 36 and lower minor flap 28 at a point above tear seam 40. This permits these flaps to slide past each other at the non-adhesive locations when case 10 is being converted to a display case. Adhesive is applied in a similar manner to the flaps of left side 22.

FIG. 4 illustrates steps involved with changing display-ready case 10 into a display case 110 according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown, front panel 14, front right side panel 36 and front left side panel 38 are separated into upper and lower portions by tearing tear seam 40. Tear seam 40 is preferably separated via a user grabbing an upper portion of handle 44 and pulling forward and upward. Notches 42 and the angle of tear seam 40 along front side panels 36 and 38 encourage tear seam 40 to tear cleanly and easily when handle 44 is pulled forward and upward. Once tear seam 40 is completely separated, the user continues rotating the upper portions of panels 14, 36 and 38 upward, which are connected to top panel 12 and upper minor flaps 24 and 26, about second tear seam 48. Upper minor flaps 24 and 26, which are not adhered to respective rear side flaps 32 and 34, slide past adjacent flaps while the top portions are rotating about second tear seam 48. Once minor flaps 24 and 26 do not overlap rear side flaps 32 and 34, top panel 12 may be separated from back panel 18 by tearing second tear seam 48. When second tear seam 48 is completely torn, the upper portions of panels 14, 36 and 38, top panel 12, and minor flaps 24 and 26 are discarded and display case 110 remains along with items stored therein. Tear seams 40 and 48 may include various types of tear seams, such as perforations, tear strips or weakened regions as is known in the art, which are pulled off in various sequences.

Referring now to FIG. 5, display case 110 is shown as formed from display-ready case 10. Display case 110 includes bottom panel 16, back panel 18, right rear side panel 32, left rear side panel 34, lower minor flaps 28 and 30, and a lower portion 53 of front panel 14. As shown, items 54 stored in case 110 are clearly displayed and easily accessible to consumers. Display case 110 provides a large degree of support to items 54 by surrounding these items at the base of case 110, and providing support along the full height of the original shipping carton 10 at the back and rear sides of items 54. Back panel 18 opposes lower front panel portion 53 to retain fore and aft at least those items 54 located adjacent to bottom panel 16 while lower right minor flap 28 opposes lower left minor flap 30 to laterally retain items 54. For items 54 adjacent to the top of display case 110, back panel 18 as well as rear side panels 32 and 34 extend the full height of stacked items 54. Back panels 18 and rear side flaps 32, 34 surround the full height of the stacked items 54 on three sides, which, combined with the support on four sides of items 54 adjacent to bottom panel 16, securely retains items 54 within case 110.

While securely retaining items 54, display case 110 provides a high degree of visibility to the items stored therein, particularly from the front view and frontal side views. As shown, the top edge 56 of tear seam 40 is disposed below the top of lower minor flaps 28 and 30, which permits full viewing of items 54 above flaps 28 and 30 on the front sides. Directly in front of case 110, lower portion 53 of front panel 14 extends below the top of minor flaps 28 and 30, which provides a large frontal view of items 54 while securely retaining the items. In addition to the open viewing of items 54, case 110 provides a desirable stadium-effect display. The stadium-effect is provided by the front-to-rear height increases of the carton, which resembles stadium-style seating. As such, lower portion of front panel 53 has the lowest height, lower minor flaps 28 and 30 on the sides are higher, and back panel 18 along with rear side panels 32 and 34 extend the full height of items 54 stored in the case. This creates a desirable effect that is often used in marketing displays. The outside of case 110 can be printed to add to the stadium-style effect, create more desirable displays, and/or advertise specific items 54 stored therein.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a blank 210 is shown according to an embodiment of the invention for forming display-ready case 10 and display case 110. Blank 210 may include a unitary corrugated paperboard blank that is suitably cut, scored, perforated, etc. to be folded into carton 10. It is understood that other suitable materials, such as corrugated plastic, may also be used for blank 210. Blank 210 includes front panel 14, top panel 12, back panel 18, and bottom panel 16 connected in series via fold lines 48, 58 and 60. Fold lines 58 and 60, which respectively extend between bottom panel 16 and back panel 18, and front panel 14 and top panel 12, are preferably score lines. Fold line 48, as discussed above, is formed from second tear seam 48 and extends between back panel 18 and top panel 12. Flaps 24, 26, 36, 38, 28, 30, 32, and 34 are foldably attached to respective ones of panels 12, 14, 16 and 18. Tear seam 40 and handle cut line 46 around cut-out handle 44 are formed in front panel 14, and notches 42 are formed in flaps 36 and 38 as shown.

Tear seams 40 and 48 may include various types of tear seams, such as perforations, tear strips or weakened regions as is known in the art. Preferably, however, tear seams 40 and 48 are formed from a series of perforations, which provides an inexpensive tear seam that forms a relatively smooth edge 56 when torn as shown in FIG. 5. As an example, the series of perforations may include ⅛″ cuts interspersed by ⅛″ lands, 5/16″ cuts interspersed by 3/16″ lands, or 5/16″ cuts interspersed by ⅛ lands.

As shown in FIG. 6, an attachment tab 64 is foldably attached to the end of bottom panel 16. To form carton 10, attachment tab 64 is attached to front panel 14 via suitable means, such as an adhesive or metal stitches (not shown). In this configuration, a flattened carton (not shown) may be formed. The flattened carton (not shown) occupies minimal space and is particularly suited for shipping bundles of cartons. Carton 10 may be formed by unfolding the flattened carton (not shown) to form a hollow rectangular body.

Carton blank 210 can be pre-printed with various decorative designs, plain colors, or specific advertising. As such, when formed into display case 110, a decorative display case is provided that securely retains items therein while providing large frontal viewing of the items displayed therein. This reduces expenses associated with separate display cases and labor costs associated with unloading stored items to place them into separate display cases.

While the present invention has been described in connection with the illustrated embodiments, it will be appreciated and understood that modifications may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In particular, the invention applies to many different cartons of various shapes, designs and applications. 

1. A display ready shipping and storage container comprising: a front panel having a front right side panel and a front left side panel, each of the front right side panel and the front left side panel defining a notch therein; a top panel adjoining the front panel and having a top right side panel and a top left side panel; a rear panel adjoining the top panel at a junction and having a rear right side panel and a rear left side panel; a bottom panel adjoining the rear panel and being adjacent the front panel, the bottom panel having a bottom right side panel and a bottom left side panel; a line of weakness extending across the front panel and each of the front right side panel and the front left side panel and adjoining the notches formed therein, wherein the notches are disposed at a height above the line of weakness extending across the front panel; and a second line of weakness extending along the junction between the top panel and the rear panel.
 2. The display ready shipping and storage container of claim 1 wherein the line of weakness extending across the front panel is below top edges of the bottom right side panel and the bottom left side panel.
 3. The display ready shipping and storage container of claim 1 wherein the line of weakness extends diagonally across the front right side panel and the front left side panel.
 4. The display ready shipping and storage container of claim 1 wherein the notches are adjacent to rear portions of the front right side panel and the front left side panel respectively.
 5. The display ready shipping and storage container of claim I wherein the notches are adjacent to top edges of the bottom right side panel and the bottom left side panel.
 6. The display ready shipping and storage container of claim 1 wherein no adhesive is disposed between the rear right side panel and the top right side panel and no adhesive is disposed between the rear left side panel and the top left side panel.
 7. The display ready shipping and storage container of claim 1 wherein no adhesive is disposed between the bottom right side panel and the front right side panel above the line of weakness on the front right side panel and no adhesive is disposed between the bottom left side panel and the front left side panel above the line of weakness on the front left side panel.
 8. The display ready shipping and storage container of claim 6 wherein no adhesive is disposed between the bottom right side panel and the front right side panel above the line of weakness on the front right side panel and no adhesive is disposed between the bottom left side panel and the front left side panel above the line of weakness on the front left side panel.
 9. A display ready shipping and storage container comprising: a front panel having a front right side panel and a front left side panel; a top panel adjoining the front panel and having a top right side panel and a top left side panel; a rear panel adjoining the top panel at a junction and having a rear right side panel and a rear left side panel; a bottom panel adjoining the rear panel and being adjacent the front panel, the bottom panel having a bottom right side panel and a bottom left side panel; a line of weakness extending across the front panel and each of the front right side panel and the front left side panel wherein the line of weakness extends diagonally across the front right side panel and the front left side panel; a second line of weakness extending along the junction between the top panel and the rear panel; and wherein the rear right side panel is not connected to the top right side panel and the rear left side panel is not connected to the top left side panel and the bottom right side panel is not connected to the front right side panel above the line of weakness on the front right side panel and the bottom left side panel is not connected to the front left side panel above the line of weakness on the front left side panel.
 10. The display ready shipping and storage container of claim 9 wherein a notch is formed in each of the front right side panel and the front left side panel and adjoins the diagonally extending line of weakness across the front right side panel and the front left side panel respectively.
 11. The display ready shipping and storage container of claim 10 wherein the notches are adjacent to rear portions of the front right side panel and the front left side panel respectively.
 12. The display ready shipping and storage container of claim 11 wherein the notches are disposed at a height above the line of weakness extending across the front panel
 13. The display ready shipping and storage container of claim 12 wherein the notches are adjacent to top edges of the bottom right side panel and the bottom left side panel.
 14. The display ready shipping and storage container of claim 13 wherein the line of weakness extending across the front panel is below top edges of the bottom right side panel and the bottom left side panel.
 15. A blank comprising: a front panel having a front right side panel and a front left side panel, each of the front right side panel and the front left side panel defining a notch therein along an outside edge thereof; a top panel adjoining the front panel and having a top right side panel and a top left side panel; a rear panel adjoining the top panel at a junction and having a rear right side panel and a rear left side panel; a bottom panel adjoining the rear panel and having a bottom right side panel and a bottom left side panel; an attachment tab adjoining the bottom panel; a line of weakness extending across the front panel and each of the front right side panel and the front left side panel and adjoining the notches formed therein; and a second line of weakness extending along the junction between the top panel and the rear panel.
 16. The blank of claim 15 wherein the line of weakness extends diagonally across the front right side panel and the front left side panel. 